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Pilot evaluation of hypnosis for the treatment of hot flashes in breast cancer survivors
Author(s) -
Elkins Gary,
Marcus Joel,
Stearns Vered,
Hasan Rajab M.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.1096
Subject(s) - hot flash , hypnosis , mood , quality of life (healthcare) , breast cancer , psychology , physical therapy , clinical trial , randomized controlled trial , medicine , clinical psychology , cancer , psychotherapist , alternative medicine , pathology
This single arm, pilot study investigated the use of hypnosis to reduce hot flashes in 16 breast cancer survivors. Each patient provided baseline data and received 4 weekly sessions of hypnosis that followed a standardized transcript. Patients were also instructed in self‐hypnosis. Throughout the clinical care, patients completed daily diaries of the frequency and severity of their hot flashes. Patients also completed baseline and post‐treatment ratings of the degree to which hot flashes interfered with daily activities and quality of life. Results indicated a 59% decrease in total daily hot flashes and a 70% decrease in weekly hot flash scores from their baselines. There was also a significant decrease in the degree to which hot flashes interfered with daily activities for all measures including work, social activities, leisure activities, sleep, mood, concentration, relations with others, sexuality, enjoyment of life, and overall quality of life. This pilot study suggests that clinical hypnosis may be an effective non‐hormonal and non‐pharmacological treatment for hot flashes. A randomized, controlled clinical trial is planned to more definitively elucidate the efficacy and applicability of hypnosis for reducing hot flashes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.